The Melody of Grisaia
- December 15, 2016
- Frontwing
- 2h median play time
Get on Steam"The Melody of Grisaia" is a visual novel game that follows the story of a troubled youth named Yuuji Kazami, who is sent to Mihama Academy, a secluded institution for students with various behavioral issues. As Yuuji interacts with his fellow students, he uncovers their past traumas and helps them come to terms with their emotions. The game features multiple routes and endings based on the player's choices throughout the story.
PC
Windows
PlayStation
Playstation Vita
Reviews
- The game features good scenes, an enjoyable story, and well-developed characters, particularly Marion.
- It offers humorous and lighthearted moments, making it a fun experience for fans of the series.
- The art style and music are top-notch, consistent with the quality of the main series.
- The game is very short, taking only about 1-2 hours to complete, which may not justify the price for some players.
- It lacks significant choices or branching paths, making it feel more like a linear experience.
- Some players feel that the game is overpriced for the amount of content it offers, leading to a perception of it being a cash grab.
- story32 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The story aspect of the game is generally well-received, with many players enjoying the engaging side stories and character development, particularly in the context of Yuuji's protective role. While some find the narratives entertaining and humorous, others note that the stories are brief, with a runtime of around two hours, and may not be essential to the main plot. Overall, the side stories are appreciated for their charm and connection to the main series, though opinions on their depth and value vary.
“The story takes place after Yuuji got back from America and right before Asako collapses.”
“Unlike Afterglow, which was just something that could have happened but was never actually talked about in Labyrinth itself, Melody takes a brief ~5 minute plotline that existed in Labyrinth and expands upon it into an hour-long short story about Yuuji doing some bodyguard work.”
“The whole story pretty much just revolves around the daily life of the girl that Yuuji 'babysits' and how their relationship improves day by day as they started to understand each other.”
“The only cons of the story is that Marion is 9 years old; she's far from legal.”
“Boring character, boring story.”
“It is another side story totally unrelated with the main storyline.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in this game is described as lighthearted and entertaining, featuring funny dialogues and a cute storyline that appeals to fans of the Grisaia series. While some reviewers note that the humor may not reach the heights of the original "Fruit of Grisaia," it still offers enjoyable moments, particularly for those familiar with the main trilogy's themes and characters. Overall, it is recommended for fans looking for a blend of crude and cynical humor.
“It was humorous, lighthearted, and interesting to watch.”
“Arms talks and JB's response from his dossier were very funny.”
“I'd recommend this game to anyone also waiting for the English localization of the third game in the Grisaia trilogy and enjoying some more of the crude, cynical humor our favorite protagonist likes to blurt out at any time.”
- music4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with particular praise for the background music in the main menu and credits, which enhances the overall experience. While the soundtrack complements the scenes and characters effectively, it is the menu music that stands out as a highlight for many players.
“The background music of the main menu is great.”
“It has some good scenes, story, and characters, along with some fitting music.”
“Get this game for the menu music and credits music alone!”
“The music is forgettable and doesn't enhance the overall experience.”
“The soundtrack feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“While there are a few decent tracks, most of the music feels out of place and uninspired.”
- graphics3 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -100 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The graphics are generally considered to be of high quality and consistent with the series' established style, featuring interesting artwork that, while not groundbreaking, remains visually acceptable.
“The art style is top-notch and fits perfectly within the series.”
“The graphics feature interesting artwork that enhances the overall experience.”
“While the art may not be groundbreaking, it is still visually acceptable and enjoyable.”
“While the art isn't next-level artwork, it is still acceptable.”
“The graphics feel outdated and lack the polish expected from modern games.”
“The character models are poorly designed and lack detail, making them look lifeless.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is criticized for its lack of depth, with users finding both the characters and the storyline unengaging and uninspiring.
“The characters lack depth, making it hard to connect emotionally.”
“The story feels flat and uninspired, failing to evoke any real feelings.”
“I found myself completely disengaged; there was no emotional investment in the plot.”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect is viewed as exploitative, with some users labeling the side stories as "shameless cash grabs," though they acknowledge that dedicated fans of the Grisaia series may still find value in purchasing them.
“These side stories are honestly just shameless cash grabs, but if you're into everything Grisaia, then they're worth a buy.”
“The monetization strategy feels exploitative, as it seems like every feature is locked behind a paywall.”
“It's frustrating to see so many essential game elements tied to microtransactions, making it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
